Residents object to plan for 135 houses at field in Shann Lane, Keighley

Developers hoping to build up to 135 houses on a field in Keighley believe the local road network will be able to cope with the extra traffic.

But residents disagree and plan to draft a petition opposing the scheme.

A 4.8-hectare site at Shann Lane is where the trustees of the Chatsworth Settlement want to build the estate, and they have officially submitted their application for public scrutiny.

Although the site has already been allocated for housing, many neighbours fear an extra 135 properties would clog the surrounding roads with traffic and increase the risk of flooding.

Nasar Zarif is a civil engineer who lives on nearby The Chase.

He said: “The problems we have with housing on the site they can’t rectify unless they do something hugely significant.

“Access will always be an issue. It looks like the application ignores any concerns people had. They are looking to put quite a dense housing estate on that small area. Shann Lane isn’t a highway, it’s a country lane.”

Trustees announced their plans last month, holding a public drop-in session shortly afterwards. They received 55 comment forms, 42 of which cited the traffic problems new houses would cause in Shann Lane. Others raised the issue of drainage or that the houses were too large compared to the surrounding area.

Up to 15 per cent of the houses would be classed as affordable, and entry to the new estate would be from Shann Lane and Broadlands.

Developers believe they have addressed the issues in a travel plan to cut down on the amount of car journeys by the new estate’s residents.

The document states footpaths into the site will be widened, new bus links provided and each house would have a secure cycle space.

In response to concerns about extra traffic, the report says there is evidence the development can be “satisfactorily accommodated” on the transport network.

In the week it was announced all school reception places in Keighley are full, trustees say that if approved, Bradford Council would receive a donation to pay towards providing additional school places.

People have until December 11 to comment on the plans, with a final decision due to be made by early February.

What do you think? We welcome letters on this or any other subject. E-mail them to richard.parker@keighleynews.co.uk or write to The Editor, Keighley News, 80-86 North Street, Keighley BD31 3AG. Please include your full name, address and daytime telephone number.

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